OPINION> Alexis Hooi
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OPINION> Alexis Hooi
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Tuning in to the music from within
By Alexis Hooi (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-08-28 08:00
My earliest encounter with a musical instrument was watching my older brother learn the piano as a child. Like many other children then, he quickly lost interest in his lessons and went on to more outdoor pursuits. His failed foray into music was later cited as the reason why I was denied a chance to learn it. That is also why I have always been fascinated with music and musicians. So, on arrival in Beijing two years ago, when I came across State broadcaster CCTV's folk instrument competition, the talent displayed on the program blew me away. This year's competition, scheduled to conclude tonight, continues to be an encouraging reminder of the need to preserve the country's musical heritage in the face of modernity and globalization. For the past three weeks, close to 200 contestants treated viewers to the wonders of traditional Chinese instruments made up of the Classic Eight Sounds of bamboo, clay, gourd, hide, metal, silk, stone and wood. From the ancient allure of the 7-stringed guqin zither to the basic beauty of the hulusi bamboo gourd flute, performers used the instruments to demonstrate the proud millennia of Chinese music. There are growing signs of a renewed interest to look inward and tap confidently into this cultural legacy. Similar to what my brother experienced in his childhood, Chinese musician associations reported in recent years that more than 40 million Chinese students pick up Western instruments like the piano and violin annually, with at least 200,000 people even entering professional music schools every year. No doubt, the latest rush to embrace classical music in this country also stems in part from the successes of Chinese musicians such as pianist Lang Lang and composer Tan Dun in the West. But more youngsters are turning to traditional Chinese instruments to develop and express their talent. Authorities in Shanghai alone have reported that candidates sitting for exams for the guzheng or traditional Chinese bridged zither next month will number more than 10,000 -- which is more than double that of those taking exams for all wind instruments, Chinese and Western. The ongoing TV competition itself leaves little to be desired in presenting the country's musical potential. Competitors are brought together from all corners of the country and categorized into the different folk instruments they play, their ages, team and solo performances. Efforts to ensure fair evaluation include curtains that prevent the panel of judges from giving scores influenced by participants' appearances. Bonus points are awarded for new compositions as well as segments for contestants to execute their improvisation skills and other artistic talent apart from music. It is not surprising to see a budding teen virtuoso performing magic card tricks, reciting a self-penned poem or executing a classic calligraphy piece after playing a Paganini piece on an erhu, the two-stringed Chinese fiddle. TV viewers are also able to submit their comments on the performers in real time, while judges, often accomplished musicians themselves, are sometimes invited to present a few exemplary pieces to complement their assessment. The contest is also broadcast and archived on CCTV's website. All these elements combine to serve up a feast for the senses of practitioners and audiences alike. Certainly, for those who still believe there is a musician in each one of us, the final competition tonight promises to deliver. E-mail: alexishooi@chinadaily.com.cn (China Daily 08/28/2009 page8) |
